Memory device including wireless antenna

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory, a first controller, a wireless antenna, a memory unit, and a second controller. The first controller controls the memory. The memory unit is capable of operating by the wireless antenna. The second controller is capable of operating by the wireless antenna, reads data from the memory unit when receiving a read instruction, and outputs the data using the wireless antenna.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/477,200 filed Sep. 4, 2014, and is based on and claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/927,195, filed Jan. 14, 2014, theentire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a memory deviceincluding a wireless antenna.

BACKGROUND

A memory card such as an SD memory card is an example of a memorydevice.

Generally, the memory card receives electric power supply from a hostdevice such as a digital still camera (DSC). By using electric powersupplied from this host device, the memory card can exchange data withthe host device, and write data to and read data from a nonvolatilesemiconductor memory.

To check data written to the memory card, a user must set the memorycard in the host device.

Recently, users who purchase many memory cards and save obtained imagedata in these memory cards instead of saving the data in a backupdestination such as a PC are increasing in number. When the number ofmemory cards to be used thus increases, it becomes difficult for theuser to ascertain which data is stored in which memory card. The usermust check data written to many memory cards by setting the memory cardsin the host device, and reading the data from the memory cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing an arrangement of a memorydevice according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing an operation in which datais automatically written to a memory unit by a memory controller;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation in which the datais automatically written to the memory unit by the memory controller;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram showing an operation in which datais automatically written to a memory unit by an NFC controller;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation in which the datais automatically written to the memory unit by the NFC controller;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary block diagram showing an operation in which datais read from a nonvolatile semiconductor memory of the memory device;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation in which the datais read from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory of the memory device;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary block diagram showing an operation in which awireless communication host device reads data from the memory unit;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation in which thewireless communication host device reads the data from the memory unit;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary block diagram showing an operation in which thememory device writes data from the wireless communication host device tothe memory unit;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation in which thememory device writes the data from the wireless communication hostdevice to the memory unit;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary block diagram showing an operation in which theNFC controller determines whether to protect data written to the memoryunit;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation in which the NFCcontroller determines whether to protect the data written to the memoryunit;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary block diagram showing an outline of anarrangement of a memory card according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a first application example of the memory cardaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a second application example of the memorycard according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a third application example of the memorycard according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the third application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a fourth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a fifth application example of the memorycard according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the fifth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view showing a sixth application example of the memory cardaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a seventh application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the seventh application example ofthe memory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an eighth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the eighth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a ninth application example of the memorycard according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the ninth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a tenth application example of the memorycard according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the tenth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an eleventh application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a twelfth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a thirteenth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a fourteenth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a view showing a fifteenth application example of the memorycard according to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a sixteenth application example of thememory card according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawing.In the following description, the same reference numerals denotecomponents having nearly the same functions and arrangements, and arepetitive description thereof will be given if necessary.

In general, according to one embodiment, a memory device includes amemory, a first controller, a wireless antenna, a memory unit, and asecond controller. The first controller controls the memory. The memoryunit is capable of operating by the wireless antenna. The secondcontroller is capable of operating by the wireless antenna, and readsdata from the memory unit when receiving a read instruction, and outputsthe data using the wireless antenna.

First Embodiment

In this embodiment, a memory device including a wireless antenna will beexplained. As the memory device, various forms such as a memory card(for example, an SD memory card or multimedia card) or a USB memory canbe applied. Note that the same structure as that of the memory deviceaccording to this embodiment may also be applied to a wirelesscommunication device such as a cell phone. For example, the samestructure as that of the memory device according to this embodiment maybe applied to a memory system of an information processing device. Thememory system includes at least a memory device and a controller forcontrolling the memory device.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing an arrangement of a memorydevice according to this embodiment.

A memory device 1 includes a function of writing data DA1 to and readingthe data DA1 from an electrically connected host device 2 by electricpower supplied from the host device 2, and a function of communicatingdata DA2 by electric power produced (induced) by an electromagneticinduction of a wireless antenna 4 although the memory device 1 is notelectrically connected to a wireless communication host device 3. Thatis, the memory device 1 performs communication complying with a NearField Communication (NFC) standard at a frequency such as 13.56 MHz, andtransmits or receives the data DA2 to or from the wireless communicationhost device 3. The memory device 1 can operate without receiving anyelectric power supply from the host device 2.

The memory device 1 exchanges the data DA1 with the host device 2 inaccordance with, for example, an SD interface, but another interface mayalso be used. Also, the memory device 1 exchanges the data DA2 with thewireless communication host device 3 in accordance with, for example, anNFC interface, but another wireless communication interface may also beused.

The host device 2 and wireless communication host device 3 are separatedevices in this embodiment, but they may also be an integrated device.

The memory device 1 includes the wireless antenna 4, a nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5, an NFC controller 6, a memory controller 7, anda connecting unit 13. The NFC controller 6 includes a memory unit 8 andvoltage detector 9. Note that the NFC controller 6 and memory unit 8 mayalso be separate units. The NFC controller 6 and memory controller 7 mayalso be implemented by a single controller.

The nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 is, for example, a NAND typeflash memory. However, it is also possible to use another nonvolatilesemiconductor memory such as a NOR type flash memory, magnetoresistiverandom access memory (MRAM), phase-change random access memory (PRAM),resistive random access memory (ReRAM), or ferroelectric random accessmemory (FeRAM). For example, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 maybe changed into a memory such as the other nonvolatile memory, avolatile memory, a magnetic memory, or the like.

The memory controller 7 controls the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5.For example, the memory controller 7 writes the data DA1 to thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 when receiving a write instructionand the data DA1 from the host device 2. The memory controller 7 readsthe data DA1 from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 when receivinga read instruction. The memory controller 7 may write the data DA1 tothe nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 when receiving power supply fromthe host device 2 and receiving a write instruction and the data DA1from the host device 2 via the wireless antenna 4 and NFC controller 6.

The memory controller 7 may write the data DA2 to the memory unit 8 whenreceiving a write instruction, and read the data DA2 from the memoryunit 8 when receiving a read instruction.

The memory controller 7 may read the data DA1 from the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5 when receiving a read instruction, and output thedata DA1 via the NFC controller 6 and wireless antenna 4.

The nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 and memory controller 7 operateby electric power supplied from the host device 2.

The wireless antenna 4 is set at a predetermined frequency or frequencyband corresponding to NFC.

Also, the wireless antenna 4 produces electric power by theelectromagnetic induction based on a radio wave from the wirelesscommunication host device 3. The wireless antenna 4 supplies theproduced electric power to the NFC controller 6. In addition, thewireless antenna 4 receives data from the wireless communication hostdevice 3, and outputs the received data to the NFC controller 6.Furthermore, the wireless antenna 4 outputs the data DA2 from the NFCcontroller 6 to the wireless communication host device 3. The wirelessantenna 4 is, for example, a PCB pattern antenna.

The NFC controller 6 operates by electric power produced in the wirelessantenna 4 by the electromagnetic induction based on the radio wave fromthe wireless communication host device 3. The NFC controller 6 reads thedata DA2 from the memory unit 8 when operating or receiving a readinstruction via the wireless antenna 4 from the wireless communicationhost device 3, and outputs the data DA2 using the wireless antenna 4 tothe wireless communication host device 3. Likewise, the NFC controller 6may also write the data DA2 to the memory unit 8 when operating orreceiving a write instruction and the data DA2 using the wirelessantenna 4. The NFC controller 6 controls data transmission and receptionwith respect to the wireless communication host device 3 by using thewireless antenna 4. More specifically, the NFC controller 6 becomescapable of communication by NFC when receiving a signal having apredetermined frequency corresponding to NFC via the wireless antenna 4.

Furthermore, when writing to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, theNFC controller 6 outputs a write instruction and the data DA1 receivedfrom the host device 2 via the connecting unit 13 to the memorycontroller 7. The NFC controller 6 may output a write instruction andthe data DA1 to the memory controller 7 when receiving the writeinstruction and the data DA1 from the host device 2 via the connectingunit 13, and write the data DA2 to the memory unit 8.

Also, when reading from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, the NFCcontroller 6 outputs the data DA1 received from the memory controller 7to the host device 2 via the connecting unit 13.

The voltage detector 9 of the NFC controller 6 is electrically connectedto the wireless antenna 4, and monitors a voltage to be supplied fromthe wireless antenna 4 to the NFC controller 6, and keeps outputting areset signal for communication by NFC until a predetermined voltagecorresponding to NFC is obtained. This makes it possible to prevent anabnormal activation or operation of communication by NFC.

When receiving power supply from the host device 2 and receiving a writeinstruction and the data DA1 from the host device 2, the NCF controller6 may write the data DA1 received from the host device 2 to thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5. The NCF controller 6 may write datato the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 when receiving power supplyfrom the host device 2 and receiving a write instruction and the data byNFC via the wireless antenna 4 and the NFC controller 6.

When receiving power supply from the host device 2 and receiving agenerating instruction of the data 2 from the host device 2, the NFCcontroller 6 may produce the data DA2 by reading the data DA1 written tothe nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, and write the data DA2 to thememory unit 8.

When receiving power supply from the host device 2 and receiving awireless output instruction, the NFC controller 6 may read a part or thewhole of the data DA1 written to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5,and output the read data to the wireless communication host device 3 viathe wireless antenna 4.

The NFC controller 6 may write instruction data to the memory unit 8when receiving the instruction data and a write instruction using thewireless antenna 8, and perform a process indicated by the instructiondata written to the memory unit 8 when receiving an performinginstruction.

The memory unit 8 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory. The memory unit8 writes the data DA2 according to a control of the NFC controller 6 ormemory controller 7. Note that the memory unit 8 may also temporarilysave the data DA2. Although an electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM) or the like is used as the memory unit 8,various memories can be used in the same manner as for the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5.

The data DA2 may be, for example, data to be exchanged between thewireless communication host device 3 and memory device 1 in accordancewith an NFC interface, feature data of the data DA1 to be written to thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, feature data received from thewireless communication host device 3 to the NFC controller 6 via thewireless antenna 4, feature data concerning the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5, or feature data concerning the memory device 1.More specifically, the feature data DA2 may be a part of image data tobe written to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 (for example, astart or end portion of the image data, or thumbnail data of the imagedata), management information of the data DA1 to be written to thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, a memory capacity of the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5, a remaining capacity of the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5, a name of a file written to the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5, a production time of the data DA1, imaging timedata when the data DA1 is image data, or the number of files written tothe nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5.

The NFC controller 6 and memory unit 8 operate by electric power inducedin the wireless antenna 4 by the wireless communication host device 3.Therefore, the NFC controller 6 and memory unit 8 are desirably drivableby electric power lower than that of the memory controller 7 andnonvolatile semiconductor memory 5. When electric power is supplied fromthe host device 2 to the memory device 1, however, the NFC controller 6and memory unit 8 may operate by electric power supplied from the hostdevice 2.

In this embodiment, a write instruction and data from the host device 2are first received by the NFC controller 6, and then received by thememory controller 7. This is so because the NFC controller 6 firstdetermines whether the write instruction and data are received from thehost device 2 or wireless communication host device 3, and switchesoperations in accordance with the determination result.

The connecting unit 13 is, for example, a standardized connectingterminal, and connectable to the host device 2.

Various operations of the memory device 1 according to this embodimentwill be explained below with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, and 13.

As a first operation, an operation example in which the memorycontroller 7 automatically writes the data DA2 to the memory unit 8 willbe explained with reference to a block diagram in FIG. 2 and a flowchartin FIG. 3. FIGS. 2 and 3 show an operation example in which the memorydevice 1 receives the data DA1 from the host device 2.

In step A1, the NFC controller 6 receives a write instruction and thedata DA1 from the host device 2.

In step A2, the NFC controller 6 passes through the write instructionand the data DA1, and the memory controller 7 receives the writeinstruction and data DA1.

In step A3, the memory controller 7 writes the data DA1 to thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5.

In step A4, the memory controller 7 writes the data DA2 to the memoryunit 8.

As a second operation, an operation example in which the NFC controller6 automatically writes the data DA2 to the memory unit 8 will beexplained with reference to a block diagram in FIG. 4 and a flowchart inFIG. 5. The difference of FIGS. 4 and 5 from FIGS. 2 and 3 in which thememory controller 7 writes the data DA2 to the memory unit 8 is that theNFC controller 6 writes the data DA2 to the memory unit 8.

In step B1, the NFC controller 6 receives a write instruction and thedata DA1 from the host device 2.

In step B2, the NFC controller 6 passes through the write instructionand the data DA1 to the memory controller 7, and writes the data DA2 tothe memory unit 8.

In step B3, the memory controller 7 writes the data DA1 to thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5.

As a third operation, an operation example in which the data DA1 is readfrom the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 of the memory device 1 willbe explained with reference to a block diagram in FIG. 6 and a flowchartin FIG. 7.

In step C1, the NFC controller 6 receives a read instruction and addressfrom the host device 2. Note that the NFC controller 6 can also readdata from the memory unit 8 in the next step based on the readinstruction and address from the host device 2.

In step C2, the NFC controller 6 passes through the read instruction andaddress, and the memory controller 7 receives the read instruction andaddress.

In step C3, the memory controller 7 reads the data DA1 from thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 based on the read instruction andaddress.

In step C4, the memory controller 7 transmits the data DA1 to the hostdevice 2 via the NFC controller 6.

As a fourth operation, an operation example in which the wirelesscommunication host device 3 reads the data DA2 from the memory unit 8will be explained with reference to a block diagram in FIG. 8 and aflowchart in FIG. 9.

In step D1, the NFC controller 6 receives a read instruction from thewireless communication host device 3 via the wireless antenna 4.

In step D2, the NFC controller 6 reads the data DA2 from the memory unit8 based on the read instruction.

In step D3, the NFC controller 6 transmits the data DA2 to the wirelesscommunication host device 3 via the wireless antenna 4.

In this operation shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in which the wirelesscommunication host device 3 reads the data DA2, the host device 2 neednot supply any electric power to the memory device 1. For example, thedata DA2 is image data obtained by a digital still camera and finallywritten to the memory device 1. The wireless communication host device 3can receive the image data written to the memory unit 8 from the memorydevice 1 without connecting the memory device 1 to the host device 2. Ina general memory card, it is necessary to supply electric power to readinternal data. In the memory device 1 according to this embodiment,however, internal data can be read by only holding the memory device 1over (close to) the wireless communication host device 3.

As a fifth operation, an operation example in which the memory device 1writes data from the wireless communication host device 3 to the memoryunit 8 will be explained with reference to a block diagram in FIG. 10and a flowchart in FIG. 11.

Note that FIGS. 10 and 11 will be explained by taking an example inwhich designation data DA3 for designating what data DA2 is to bewritten to the memory unit 8 is transmitted from the wirelesscommunication host device 3 to the memory device 1, and written to thememory unit 8. However, the data to be transmitted from the wirelesscommunication host device 3 to the memory device 1 may also be anotherdata such as the data DA2 to be written to the memory unit 8, orsecurity-related data. This operation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 isexecutable even when the host device 2 supplies no electric power.

In step E1, the NFC controller 6 receives a write instruction and thedesignation data DA3 from the wireless communication host device 3 viathe wireless antenna 4.

In step E2, the NFC controller 6 writes the designation data DA3 to thememory unit 8.

After that, the NFC controller 6 or memory controller 7 refers to thememory unit 8, reads the data DA2 designated by the designation data DA3from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, and writes the data DA2 tothe memory unit 8. Alternatively, the NFC controller 6 or memorycontroller 7 selects the data DA2 designated by the designation data DA3from the data DA1 received from the host device 2, and writes the dataDA2 to the memory unit 8.

Consequently, a user can explicitly designate the data DA2 to be writtento the memory unit 8.

For example, the designation data DA3 may includes data indicatingwhether to protect the data DA2 written to the memory unit 8. Thedesignation data DA3 may also includes data number of the data DA2 to bewritten to the memory unit 8.

As a sixth operation, an operation example in which the NFC controller 6determines whether to protect the data DA2 written to the memory unit 8will be explained with reference to a block diagram in FIG. 12 and aflowchart in FIG. 13.

In step F1, the NFC controller 6 receives a write instruction and thedata DA1 from the host device 2.

In step F2, the NFC controller 6 determines whether the designation dataDA3 designating protection of data DA2 in the memory unit 8 is writtento the memory unit 8.

If the designation data DA3 designating protection is written to thememory unit 8, a process advances to step F4.

If the designation data DA3 designating protection is not written to thememory unit 8, the NFC controller 6 updates data DA2 in the memory unit8 in step F3.

In step F4, the NFC controller 6 passes through the write instructionand the data DA1 to the memory controller 7.

In step F5, the NFC controller 6 writes the data DA1 to the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5.

By applying this operation shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the user can writehis or her favorite image data to the memory unit 8 of the memory device1 via NFC, and can also designate protection of the data. Accordingly,the user can share this favorite image data with his or her friend byholding the memory device 1 over the wireless communication host device3 of the friend.

The memory device 1 according to this embodiment explained aboveincludes a data write/read function like that of a memory card, and alsoincludes an NFC function. Even when the host device 2 supplies noelectric power, therefore, the memory device 1 can receive data from thewireless communication host device 3, or transmit data to the wirelesscommunication host device 3.

In this embodiment, by electric power produced by the electromagneticinduction of the wireless antenna 4, the NFC controller 6 transmits thedata DA2 stored in the memory unit 8, and the wireless communicationhost device 3 receives the data DA2. Accordingly, the user can checkvarious kinds of information pertaining to the memory device 1 by onlyholding the memory device 1 close to the wireless communication hostdevice 3, without setting the memory device 1 in the host device 2. Byusing the memory device 1 according to this embodiment, the user canprovide favorite data to the wireless communication host device 3 ofanother person even in an environment such as a travel destination orbusiness trip destination where the host device 2 such as a personalcomputer is not available.

In this embodiment, the data DA2 which the user wants to write to thememory unit 8 can explicitly be designated to the memory device 1 byusing the designation data DA3, and the data DA2 designated by thedesignation data DA3 can be transmitted from the memory device 1 to thewireless communication host device 3.

An application example of the memory device 1 according to this examplewill briefly be explained below. Details of this application examplewill be explained in the second embodiment.

The NFC controller 6 of the memory device 1 according to this embodimentmay receive, from the wireless communication host device 3, the data DA2indicating a prohibition of reading or writing of the data DA1 writtento the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, and write the data DA2 to thememory unit 8. The NFC controller 6 may also receive the data DA2indicating a cancelation of read or write prohibition from the wirelesscommunication host device 3, and write the data DA2 to the memory unit8. Consequently, the user can easily switch the read prohibition andpermission, and the write prohibition and permission of the data DA1written to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 by only holding thememory device 1 over the wireless communication host device 3.

The NFC controller 6 of the memory device 1 according to this embodimentmay receive, from the wireless communication host device 3, the data DA2for setting a wireless local area network (LAN) as a wirelesscommunication service of an information communication terminal, andwrite the data DA2 to the memory unit 8. Thus, the user can easily writecomplicated setting to the memory device 1, and can transmit the dataDA2 from the memory device 1 to the information communication terminaland set the information communication terminal based on the data DA2 byonly holding the memory device 1 over the information communicationterminal.

When the host device 2 supplies electric power to the memory device 1according to this embodiment, the NFC controller 6 may read the data DA1from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, and transmit the data DA1to the wireless communication host device 3 via the wireless antenna 4.Accordingly, the wireless communication host device 3 can read data fromthe memory device 1 via NFC while the memory device 1 is mounted to thehost device 2.

The NFC controller 6 of the memory device 1 according to this embodimentcan receive a compression program or various kinds of firmware from thewireless communication host device 3, write them to the memory unit 8,and execute them.

The NFC controller 6 of the memory device 1 according to this embodimentmay receive, from the wireless communication host device 3, a uniformresource locator (URL) of a cloud service to which the NFC controller 6intends to upload the data DA1 written to the nonvolatile semiconductormemory 5, and writes this URL to the memory unit 8. Consequently, theuser can give the URL to the cell phone as an example of the wirelesscommunication host device 3 by holding the memory device 1 over the cellphone, and can also read the data DA1 from the nonvolatile semiconductormemory 5 by mounting the memory device 1 to the cell phone, and uploadthe data DA1 to a site indicated by the URL.

The NFC controller 6 of the memory device 1 according to this embodimentmay receive a user ID and password from the wireless communication hostdevice 3, and write the user ID and password to the memory unit 8.Accordingly, the user can give the user ID and password to, for example,the cell phone by holding the memory device 1 over the cell phone, anduse the cell phone based on the user ID and password.

Second Embodiment

In this embodiment, a modification of the memory device 1 according tothe above-mentioned first embodiment and application examples of themodification will be explained. Note that this embodiment will beexplained by taking an example in which the memory device 1 is a memorycard. As described previously, however, the memory device 1 may also bethe other form of a semiconductor memory device or semiconductor memorymedium such as a USB memory, or memory system.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary block diagram showing an outline of anarrangement of a memory card according to this embodiment.

A memory card 10 includes the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, thewireless antenna 4, a controller 11, and the connecting unit 13. Thecontroller 11 includes an SD processor 12, the NFC controller 6, and thememory controller 7.

The SD processor 12 transmits or receives data to or from a host device2 in accordance with an SD standard.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a first application example of the memory card10.

When the memory card 10 is held over the wireless communication hostdevice 3 as the cell phone, particularly, a smartphone, thumbnail data,a file count, an imaging location/imaging time, a remaining memoryamount, and a file name list stored in the memory unit 8 of the memorycard 10 are transmitted to the wireless communication host device 3. Thewireless communication host device 3 displays the thumbnail data, filecount, imaging location/imaging time, remaining memory amount, and filename list. The file name list can be a list of image files or documentfiles. Of image data written to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5,the memory card 10 transmits the thumbnail data of some last images (forexample, eight to ten images) to the wireless communication host device3. Also, the wireless communication host device 3 can transmit memo dataformed by the user to the memory card 10, and the memory card 10 canwrite the memo data to the memory unit 8.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a second application example of the memorycard 10.

When the memory card 10 is held over the wireless communication hostdevice 3 such as the cell phone, the memory card 10 transmits image datawritten to the memory unit 8 to the wireless communication host device3. In the second application example, the memory card 10 need notreceive any electric power supply from another device. The image datacan also be compressed into a predetermined size of about 30 Kbytes. Thewireless communication host device 3 can immediately mail the image datareceived from the memory card 10 by NFC, and can easily upload the imagedata to a social networking service (SNS).

FIGS. 17 and 18 are respectively a flowchart and block diagram showing athird application example of the memory card 10.

In step G1, the memory card 10 writes image data obtained by the hostdevice 2 as a camera to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 via theSD processor 12 and memory controller 7. In addition, the NFC controller6 of the memory card 10 acquires a part of the image data written to thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 and memory information of thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5 via the memory controller 7, andwrites a part of the image data and the memory information to the memoryunit 8.

The wireless communication host device 3 such as the cell phoneactivates an application in step G2, and transmits the read instructionto the memory card 10 in step G3.

In step G4, the memory card 10 reads data from the memory unit 8 of thecontroller 11, and transmits the read data to the wireless communicationhost device 3.

In step G5, the wireless communication host device 3 receives the data,completes the read, and displays the read data.

This allows the user to readily check the data written to the memorycard 10 by only holding the memory card 10 over the wirelesscommunication host device 3.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a fourth application example of thememory card 10.

The controller 11 of the memory card 10 writes identification data andan activation instruction of a specific application to the memory unit 8in advance.

In step H1, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits a readinstruction to the memory card 10.

In step H2, the memory card 10 reads the identification data andactivation instruction of the application from the memory unit 8 of thecontroller 11, and transmits the identification data and activationinstruction to the wireless communication host device 3.

In step H3, the wireless communication host device 3 recognizes theidentification data and activation instruction of the application, andactivates the application. Note that it is also possible to manuallyperform the application activation instruction.

Consequently, the user can activate the application of the wirelesscommunication host device 3 by only holding the memory card 10 over thewireless communication host device 3 such as the cell phone.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are respectively a flowchart and block diagram showing afifth application example of the memory card 10.

When the memory card 10 is only held over the wireless communicationhost device 3, the controller 11 of the memory card 10 can receive memodata from the wireless communication host device 3, and write the memodata to the memory unit 8. The memo data includes, for example, anarbitrary title designated by the user, and a memo.

In step I1, the wireless communication host device 3 activates anapplication.

In step I2, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits memo dataand a write instruction from the application to the memory card 10.

In step I3, the memory card 10 writes the memo data to the memory unit 8of the controller 11.

In step I4, the memory card 10 transmits a data completion statusindicating a completion of writing of the memo data to the wirelesscommunication host device 3.

In step I5, the wireless communication host device 3 receives the datacompletion status, and completes the writing of the memo data.

Accordingly, the user can easily give, by using NFC, the memory card 10the memo data indicating what data is written to the memory unit 8 ofthe memory card 10.

FIG. 22 is a view showing a sixth application example of the memory card10.

The memory card 10 is mounted to the host device 2 such as a camera, andreceives electric power supply from the host device 2. In this case, thecontroller 11 of the memory card 10 reads data from the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5, and transmits the data to the wirelesscommunication host device 3 such as a cell phone or printer by NFC.Thus, large-volume data can be transmitted from the memory card 10 tothe wireless communication host device 3 by NFC.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are respectively a flowchart and block diagram showing aseventh application example of the memory card 10.

The memory card 10 is mounted to the host device 2 such as a camera, andreceives electric power supply from the host device 2.

In step J1, the wireless communication host device 3 such as a printeractivates an application.

In step J2, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits a readinstruction to the memory card 10.

In step J3, the controller 11 of the memory card 10 reads data from thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, and transmits the read data to thewireless communication host device 3 by NFC.

In step J4, the wireless communication host device 3 receives the dataand completes reading.

In the seventh application example, large-volume data can be exchangedbetween the memory card 10 and wireless communication host device 3 byNFC.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are respectively a flowchart and block diagram showingan eighth application example of the memory card 10.

The memory card 10 and wireless communication host device 3 cooperatewith each other, and realize a map review display of a location whereimage data is obtained.

The controller 11 of the memory card 10 writes an activation instructionof an application, an instruction to turn on a GPS, and a position datalogging instruction to the memory unit 8.

In step K1, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits animaging start to the memory card 10 by NFC.

In step K2, when receiving the imaging start, the memory card 10 readsdata written to the memory unit 8, and transmits the read data to thewireless communication host device 3 by NFC.

In step K3, based on the data received from the memory card 10, thewireless communication host device 3 activates the application, turns onthe GPS, starts logging the position data, and stores GPS position dataand time by associating them with each other.

Note that it is also possible to manually designate the activation ofthe application, the turning on of the GPS, and the position datalogging start.

In step K4, when imaging is performed, the memory card 10 writes theimage data to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, and writes imagingtime data to the memory unit 8 of the controller 6.

In step K5, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits a mapview display start instruction to the memory card 10 by NFC.

In step K6, the memory card 10 reads the imaging time data from thememory unit 8 of the controller 11, and transmits the imaging time datato the wireless communication host device 3 by NFC.

In step K7, the memory card 10 receives the imaging time data from thewireless communication host device 3, and displays position datacorresponding to a time closest to a time indicated by the imaging timedata on a map. This makes it possible to display a result obtained bylinking the imaging time data and position data on the map.

In step K8, the wireless communication host device 3 determines whetherto terminate a process. If the process is not to be terminated, theprocess advances to step K4.

If the process is to be terminated, the wireless communication hostdevice 3 terminates the application, turns off the GPS, and stops thelogging the position data. Note that the wireless communication hostdevice 3 may also transmit a process termination to the memory card 10by NFC.

Accordingly, even when the memory card 10 is mounted to the host device2 including no Global Positioning System (GPS) function, for example, acamera, the user can see the map review display of the imaging locationon the wireless communication host device 3.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are respectively a flowchart and block diagram showing aninth application example of the memory card 10.

The memory card 10 and the wireless communication host device 3 such asa cell phone cooperate with each other, and the wireless communicationhost device 3 additionally displays an imaging event on a calendar.

In step L1, the memory card 10 writes image data to the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory 5, and writes data including imaging time data andthumbnail data to the memory unit 8. The thumbnail data may also beimage data corresponding to all images, one or a plurality of images perday, the last image, or a plurality of last images. The thumbnail datamay also be written to the memory unit 8 whenever imaging is performed.

In step L2, the wireless communication host device 3 activates anapplication. Note that the application may also be activated by holdingthe memory card 10 over the wireless communication host device 3.

In step L3, the wireless communication host device 3 displays readthumbnail data on a calendar.

In step L4, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits a newdata read instruction to the memory card 10.

In step L5, the memory card 10 reads data written to the memory unit 8,and transmits the read data to the wireless communication host device 3by NFC.

In step L6, based on the data from the memory card 10, the wirelesscommunication host device 3 displays the latest thumbnail data on thedate/time, which is indicated by the latest imaging time data, of thecalendar.

Thus, when the memory card 10 is only held over the wirelesscommunication host device 3, the wireless communication host device 3can paste image data, which is written to the memory card 10, in thatposition of the calendar which corresponds to the imaging day.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are respectively a flowchart and block diagram showing atenth application example of the memory card 10.

In the tenth application example, the memory card 10 transmits wirelessLAN setting data to the wireless communication host device 3 by NFC, andthe wireless communication host device 3 sets a wireless LAN based onthe setting data.

Setting data including setting data for the wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi(Wireless Fidelity), an access point (SSID), and a password is writtento the memory unit 8 of the memory card 10.

In step M1, the wireless communication host device 3 activates anapplication.

In step M2, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits a readinstruction to the memory card 10 by NFC.

In step M3, the memory card 10 reads the setting data written to thememory unit 8 in response to the read instruction.

In step M4, the memory card 10 transmits the setting data to thewireless communication host device 3 by NFC.

In step M5, the wireless communication host device 3 receives thesetting data from the memory card 10, completes reading, and sets thewireless LAN based on the setting data.

Consequently, when the memory card 10 is only held over the wirelesscommunication host device 3, the wireless communication host device 3can set the wireless LAN and connect to a specific access point.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an eleventh application example of thememory card 10. In the eleventh application example, the host device 2such as a personal computer uploads data to a server that provides acloud service, and the wireless communication host device 3 such as acell phone accesses the data on the server.

In step N1, the host device 2 transmits a read instruction to the memorycard 10.

In step N2, in response to the read instruction, the memory card 10reads data from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5, and transmitsthe read data to the host device 2.

In step N3, the host device 2 receives the data, and uploads the data tothe server that provides the cloud service.

In step N4, the host device 2 transmits a write instruction and accessdestination data including, for example, a URL, access point, andpassword to the memory card 10.

In step N5, the memory card 10 writes the access destination data to thememory unit 8, and transmits a write completion to the host device 2.

In step N6, the memory card 10 receives the write completion from thehost device 2, and terminates the process.

In step N7, the wireless communication host device 3 activates anapplication.

In step N8, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits an accessdestination data read instruction to the memory card 10 by NFC.

In step N9, the memory card 10 reads the access destination data fromthe memory unit 8, and transmits the read access destination data to thewireless communication host device 3 by NFC.

In step N10, the wireless communication host device 3 accesses the cloudservice provided by the server based on the access destination data.

By holding the memory card 10 over the wireless communication hostdevice 3, therefore, the user can readily use the cloud service andbrowse uploaded data by using the wireless communication host device 3.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a twelfth application example of thememory card 10. FIG. 32 shows a process of canceling a security of thememory card 10.

In step O1, the wireless communication host device 3 activates anapplication.

In step O2, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits asecurity cancelation instruction to the memory card 10 by NFC.

In step O3, the memory card 10 turns off a security flag in the memoryunit 8 of the controller 11.

In step O4, the memory card 10 transmits a data completion statusindicating a completion of a turning-off of the security flag to thewireless communication host device 3.

In step O5, the wireless communication host device 3 receives the datacompletion status from the memory card 10, and completes the securitycancelation.

In step O6, the host device 2 transmits a read instruction to the memorycard 10.

In step O7, the memory card 10 determines whether the security flagwritten to the memory unit 8 of the controller 11 is OFF.

If the security flag is OFF, the process advances to step O8, and thememory card 10 reads data from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory 5,and transmits the read data to the host device 2.

If the security flag is not OFF, the process advances to step O9, andthe memory card 10 transmits a security locked status indicating thatthe security is locked to the host device 2.

In step O10, the host device 2 receives the data or security lockedstatus, and completes reading.

Thus, the user can readily cancel the security of the memory card 10 byonly holding the memory card 10 over the wireless communication hostdevice 3.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a thirteenth application example of thememory card 10. FIG. 33 shows a process of turning on the security ofthe memory card 10.

In step P1, the wireless communication host device 3 activates anapplication.

In step P2, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits asecurity ON instruction to the memory card 10 by NFC.

In step P3, the memory card 10 turns on the security flag in the memoryunit 8 of the controller 11.

In step P4, the memory card 10 transmits a data completion statusindicating a completion of the turning-on of the security flag to thewireless communication host device 3 by NFC.

In step P5, the wireless communication host device 3 receives the datacompletion status from the memory card 10, and completes the securityON.

Steps P6 to P10 are the same as steps O6 to O10 shown in FIG. 32described above.

Thus, the user can readily turn on the security of the memory card 10 byonly holding the memory card 10 over the wireless communication hostdevice 3.

Note that read from the host device 2 to the memory card 10 has beenexplained in FIGS. 32 and 33 described above, but restriction andcancelation can be performed for read from the wireless communicationhost device 3 to the memory card 10 as well.

Furthermore, restriction and cancelation can be performed not only forread from the memory card 10 but also for write to the memory card 10.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a fourteenth application example of thememory card 10.

In the fourteenth application example, the host device 2 is anelectricity meter.

In step Q1, the host device 2 transmits observation data of theelectricity meter and a write instruction to the memory card 10.

In step Q2, the memory card 10 writes all observation data to thenonvolatile semiconductor memory 5.

In step Q3, the memory card 10 determines necessary data among allobservation data. The necessary data is, for example, data in apredetermined period, data of a month, or electric power consumption perday. The necessary data may also be designated by the above-describeddesignation data.

In step Q4, the memory card 10 writes the necessary data to the memoryunit 8.

In step Q5, the wireless communication host device 3 such as a cellphone transmits a necessary data read instruction to the memory card 10by NFC.

In step Q6, based on the read instruction, the memory card 10 reads thenecessary data from the memory unit 8, and transmits the read necessarydata to the wireless communication host device 3 by NFC.

In step Q7, the wireless communication host device 3 receives thenecessary data and completes a process.

In the fourteenth application example, the host device 2 automaticallywrites the observation data to the memory card 10. In the fourteenthapplication example, the user can check the observation data such asenergy consumption without forming any network environment. In thefourteenth application example, when the wireless communication hostdevice 3 such as a cell phone is only held over the memory card 10mounted to the host device 2, the wireless communication host device 3can easily collect the necessary data. Power saving can be realized bymounting the memory card 10 to the host device 2, and collecting andchecking the necessary data by the wireless communication host device 3.

FIG. 35 is a view showing a fifteenth application example of the memorycard 10.

An educational institution can distribute teaching material data bywriting it to the memory card 10. In addition, it is possible to writestudent IDs to the memory unit 8 of the memory card 10, and recordattendance by holding the memory card 10 over the wireless communicationhost device 3 as a reader for checking attendance. It is also possibleto write suggested answer data to the memory unit 8 of the memory card10. Test result data may also be written to the memory unit 8 of thememory card 10. A student can check a test result by holding his or hercell phone as the wireless communication host device 3 over the memorycard 10, and can analyze a weak point or a tendency by using anapplication of the cell phone. This makes it possible to improve aconvenience of the memory card 10 in the educational institution.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a sixteenth application example of thememory card 10.

In the sixteenth application example, the host device 2 is a gameapparatus, the wireless communication host device 3 is a game apparatus,and the two game apparatuses exchange data via the memory card 10.Examples of the data exchanged between the game apparatuses are acharacter ID and game save data.

In step R1, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits data anda write instruction to the memory card 10 by NFC.

In step R2, the memory card 10 writes the data to the memory unit 8 ofthe controller 11, and transmits a write completion to the wirelesscommunication host device 3.

In step R3, the wireless communication host device 3 receives the writecompletion.

In step R4, the host device 2 transmits a read instruction to the memorycard 10.

In step R5, the memory card 10 reads the data from the memory unit 8 ofthe controller 11, and transmits the read data to the host device 2.

In step R6, the host device 2 receives the data and completes the read.

In step R7, the host device 2 transmits data and a write instruction tothe memory card 10.

In step R8, the memory card 10 writes the data to the memory unit 8 ofthe controller 11, and transmits a write completion to the host device2.

In step R9, the host device 2 receives the write completion.

In step R10, the wireless communication host device 3 transmits a readinstruction to the memory card 10.

In step R11, the memory card 10 reads the data from the memory unit 8 ofthe controller 11, and transmits the read data to the wirelesscommunication host device 3.

In step R12, the wireless communication host device 3 receives the dataand completes the read.

In the sixteenth application example, the game apparatuses can readilyexchange data by using the memory card 10.

As has been explained above, the memory card 10 according to thisembodiment is usable in various forms, and capable of reading data fromthe wireless communication host device 3 by NFC, thereby improving theuser-friendliness.

For example, to manage image data saved in a normal memory card by usinga host device (for example, a personal computer), the user may copy theimage data in the memory card to a memory device (for example, a harddisk) of the host device. In this case, to overcome a capacity shortagein the memory device of the host device, the user must delete the imagedata from the memory device of the host device. Also, the user must movethe data at the time of exchanging the host device, and thus much effortis required. As the number of pixels of image data increases, the volumeof the image data increases. If the host device is a tablet computer, itmay be hard to secure a save location of the image data.

On the other hand, if the memory card 10 according to the presentembodiment is used, the user can readily check memory contents of thememory card 10 with the wireless communication host device 3 by bringingthe memory card 10 close to the wireless communication host device 3,and can readily manage image data while the image data is stored in thememory card 10. This allows the management effort of the user to bereduced. For example, the user can reduce the effort of deleting imagedata from the wireless communication host device 3, and can prevent anincrease in the volume of data in the memory device provided in thewireless communication host device 3. Also, in the present embodiment,if the wireless communication host device is a tablet computer, thenecessity for a large memory area for saving image data can be avoided.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An SD memory card, comprising: a connectorelectrically connectable to a first host device; a nonvolatile memoryoperable by power supplied from the first host device via the connector;a first controller operable by the power supplied from the first hostdevice via the connector, the first controller controlling thenonvolatile memory; a wireless antenna which generates power based on aradio wave from a second host device which is different from the firsthost device; a memory operable by the power generated by the wirelessantenna; and a second controller operable by the power generated by thewireless antenna, wherein the first controller writes, when the SDmemory card is electrically connected to the first host device and awrite instruction and first data are received from the first host devicevia the connector, the first data to the nonvolatile memory and writessecond data corresponding to the first data to the memory, the secondcontroller outputs, when the SD memory card is electrically connected tothe first host device and a read instruction of third data written inthe nonvolatile memory is received from the second host device via thewireless antenna, the read instruction of the third data to the firstcontroller, the first controller reads, based on the read instruction ofthe third data from the second controller, the third data from thenonvolatile memory and outputs the read third data to the secondcontroller, and the second controller sends the third data output fromthe first controller to the second host device using the wirelessantenna, and the second controller reads, when the SD memory card is notelectrically connected to the first host device and a read instructionof the second data is received from the second host device via thewireless antenna, the second data from the memory and sends the readsecond data to the second host device using the wireless antenna.
 2. TheSD memory card of claim 1, wherein the wireless antenna and the secondcontroller perform communication conforming to a near fieldcommunication standard.
 3. The SD memory card of claim 1, wherein thesecond controller writes, when the second controller receives a writeinstruction of fourth data and the fourth data via the wireless antenna,the fourth data to the memory.
 4. The SD memory card of claim 1, whereinthe second controller comprises a voltage detector which is electricallyconnected to the wireless antenna and sends the read second data usingthe wireless antenna based on a result of detection by the voltagedetector.
 5. The SD memory card of claim 4, wherein the voltage detectoris electrically connected to the wireless antenna and observes a voltagesupplied to the second controller by the wireless antenna.
 6. The SDmemory card of claim 1, wherein the second data include at least one offollowing: part of the first data written in the nonvolatile memory;management data of the first data; memory capacity of the nonvolatilememory; remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory; filename of thefirst data; time data of generation of the first data; memo data of thefirst data.
 7. The SD memory card of claim 1, wherein the secondcontroller writes, when the second controller receives instruction dataand a write instruction of the instruction data using the wirelessantenna, the instruction data to the memory, and the second controllerperforms, when the second controller receives an execution instruction,a process instructed by the instruction data written in the memory. 8.The SD memory card of claim 1, wherein the first data is image data, andthe second data include at least one of following: thumbnail data of theimage data; an imaging location of the image data; imaging time of theimage data; a filename of the image data.
 9. The SD memory card of claim8, wherein the first controller compresses, when the first controllerwrites the second data to the memory, the second data and writes thecompressed second data to the memory.
 10. The SD memory card of claim 9,wherein the first controller determines, when the SD memory card iselectrically connected to the first host device and the writeinstruction and the first data are received from the first host devicevia the connector, whether or not data in the memory is protected, andthe first controller writes the second data to the memory when the datain the memory is not protected and does not write the second data to thememory when the data in the memory is protected.
 11. The SD memory cardof claim 10, wherein the first controller determines that the data inthe memory is protected if an instruction data instructing protection ofthe data in the memory is written in the memory.
 12. The SD memory cardof claim 11, wherein the first controller writes, when an instruction ofprotection of the data in the memory is received from the second hostdevice via the wireless antenna, the instruction data instructingprotection of the data in the memory to the memory.
 13. The SD memorycard of claim 1, wherein the first controller reads, when the SD memorycard is electrically connected to the first host device and a readinstruction of the first data is received from the first host device viathe connector, the first data and sends the read first data to the firsthost device via the connector, the first controller stores, when the SDmemory card is electrically connected to the first host device andaccess destination data corresponding to the sent first data is receivedfrom the first host device via the connector, the received accessdestination data to the memory, and the second controller reads, when aread instruction of the access destination data is received from thesecond host device, the access destination data from the memory andsends the read access destination data to the second host device usingthe wireless antenna.
 14. The SD memory card of claim 13, wherein theaccess destination data include a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). 15.The SD memory card of claim 14, wherein the access destination datafurther includes a password.
 16. The SD memory card of claim 1, whereinthe second controller returns, when a security-on instruction isreceived from the second host device via the wireless antenna, a replyindicating that security turns on by the security-on instruction to thesecond host device, and the first controller determines, when the SDmemory card is electrically connected to the first host device and aread instruction of the first data is received from the first hostdevice via the connector, whether or not the security is turned off, andthe first controller reads, if the security is turned on, the first dataand sends the read first data to the first host device via theconnector, and sends, if the security is turned on, a reply indicatingthat the security is locked to the first host device via the connector.17. The SD memory card of claim 1, wherein the second controllerincorporates the memory therewith.
 18. The SD memory card of claim 1,wherein the memory stores configuration data, the second controllersends, when a read instruction of the configuration data is sent fromthe second host device via the wireless antenna, the configuration datato the second host device using the wireless antenna, and the secondhost device performs wireless local area network (LAN) communicationbased on the sent configuration data.
 19. The SD memory card of claim18, wherein the configuration data include wireless LAN configurationdata, an access point, and a password.
 20. The SD memory card of claim19, wherein the wireless LAN communication is Wi-Fi communication.